Low line drive

[carolinablue]

Today I was doing a LL JR. game and had bases loaded and no outs. I'm in C and batter hits a low line drive to F6. I had a good look at it since it happened right in front of me , but the ball hit the ground just in front of his glove. It was very close and I think me and the F6 were the only ones there who knew it was a short hop. I immediately pointed to the ground to show a no catch with no vocalization. F6 ran to second for an out and threw to first for a double play. All the runners ran back to thier bags because they thought he caught the ball. The coaches said they saw me point but still wasn't sure what the call was. The only other thing I could have done was maybe signal safe here, maybe that would have made it clearer. What is the proper mechanic for this call.

[UmpJM]

carolinablue,

The proper mechanic is to give an emphatic SAFE signal while verbalizing "NO Catch!".

You can follow with a point to the ground for emphasis if you like.

JM

[NovaScotiaBlue]

The first answer from UmpJM lays it out correctly. Use your voice to let them know that there is NO CATCH!!! combined with a very definite safe signal and you have done what you need to do

[LeoDev]

I was taught to give a VERY emphatic SAFE signal and to say "Play On!" The reason being is that when we say "No Catch" , all any one hears is "CATCH". I have not used this in the field yet, however I have used it on a D3K and everyone clearly understood what the situation was.

[UmpJM]

...The reason being is that when we say "No Catch" , all any one hears is "CATCH"....

LeoDev,

I think you raise a very good point about the opportunity for confusion in this sitch.

What I tried to convey in my earlier post with the "big font" is that you say the NO very loudly and emphatically, and the catch in a much softer volume. I think I kind of shake my head "no" while I give the safe mechanic.

No one has ever been the least bit confused about what my call is.

I have never heard "play on" suggested as a proper verbal in anything I have ever been taught or read.

It's ambiguous. Wouldn't you also "play on" if the catch were made?

JM

[yawetag]

I've always signaled safe and said "ON THE GROUND."